Removing shoes before entering the home can be a pain but there are some valid reasons for doing so. One study conducted at the University of Arizona found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outside of shoes, with 9 different strains of bacteria, including the well known and dreaded E coli. These potentially harmful bacteria can survive on your shoes for days or even weeks and can be tracked on to your carpets or floors. Wearing shoes indoors can also track in toxins from harmful chemicals used on lawns or asphalt onto your carpet, in addition to dirt. While keeping shoes off the carpet can promote a healthier home, it’s still a good idea to keep up regular carpet cleanings every 6-18 months or so depending on your lifestyle. When you’re ready for a clean home, let us know. We can help!
Stain-resistant Carpeting Does Not Mean Stain-proof
Ways to Prevent (or Limit) the Amount of Mud Your Pet Tracks In
With rain in the forecast, muddy paws are inevitable. 🐾 However, there are a few things you can do to prevent or limit the amount of mud that your pet tracks in. Here are some suggestions: 1️⃣ Trim long hair. Keeping the fur between the toes short can limit the amount of dirt and debris collected. Be careful not to remove the feathering or fur from the pads of the paws as this serves as a protection for your pet. 2️⃣ Keep a soft, absorbent towel by the door for quick wipe-downs when the pet enters the home. 3️⃣ Use an absorbent door mat to limit liquid tracked in or a brush-like mat to remove thick mud from paws. 4️⃣ Wash paws upon entering the home with warm water. Be sure to dry the paws thoroughly! This is especially important with pets who have thick or long fur. 5️⃣ Invest in paw wipes (similar to baby wipes) that are nourishing to the paws and remove unwanted matter. 6️⃣ Use booties. Booties are designed to protect paws from extreme cold but they can also help to keep your floors clean since you can just remove them when your pet enters the home. 7️⃣ Wax pads of paws. This can help to prevent drying and cracking of the paw but it can also make it more repellent to mud and water, limiting the amount that makes its way between the toes and tracked into the home. If your pet’s muddy paws make a mess of your home, let us know. 🏡 We can help!
Upholstery Care Tips for Pet Owners: Our furry friends can become our upholstery’s greatest nemesis
If you notice wear on your couch in a particular spot from being your pet’s favorite place to relax, it’s a good idea to lay down a blanket or add extra pillows to the area to prevent dirt and oil from setting in to the spot. It’s a win for you and a win for your pet who gets an even cozier spot to relax.
If you develop a rip in your upholstery from your pet, you may consider applying a small amount of fabric glue to the tear to prevent it from spreading. If it continues to spread, or you are concerned about that happening, contact a professional upholsterer to expertly cover up the damaged area and to prevent it from getting worse.
If your pet has an accident on your upholstery, be sure to clean up as much as you can right away. If you need professional help, let us know. We are here to help!
Tips To make Vacuuming More Effective
Tips to Make Vacuuming More Effective: 1. Use a HEPA filter or bag if possible to contain the fine particles. Empty the bag or canister when it’s 2/3 full. 2. Vacuum in multiple directions to loosen the dirt and soil. 3. Don't rush! More debris is removed from the carpet when you pull back on the vacuum, not when you push forward. 4. Check to make sure your vacuum is working properly. Check the belt and brush bars, removing hair as necessary. 5. Do it often! Carpet does a great job at collecting and capturing dirt. It’s important to remove the dirt and debris regularly. If you’re in need of a deeper cleaning, call us at 805-544-4761. We can help!
Carptet Cleaning Myth: Cleaning too often "wears out" your carpet.
Carpet Cleaning Myth: Cleaning too often “wears out” your carpet.
Fact: The opposite is actually true! Walking on a dirty carpet grinds the dirt deep into the carpet fiber, which is damaging to it because dirt itself is abrasive and cuts into the carpet. This causes premature wear so it actually shortens the lifespan of the carpet. Regularly vacuuming your carpet is important but it doesn’t take away the need for regular professional cleanings. The longer you delay in having your carpets cleaned, the more damage is done, and the faster it wears out (which means the sooner you have to pay to replace it)!
Carpet Care Tip: Avoid Putting Hot Curling Irons & Hair Straighteners On Your Carpet
Using your carpet as a resting place for your hot hair tools can be convenient but it’s not a great option. Hot tools + carpet (which is made from plastic) = Being in need of a carpet repair (like this carpet was). It’s much better and more economical to invest in a safe, heat resistant surface to set your hot tools on.
Ink Stain Removal
Removing stubborn ink stains isn't easy but our cleaning experts are up for the challenge. This series of pictures show how our ink stain removal process effectively lifted what could have become a permanent stain!
